murray



July 17, 1928. 1,677,564

H. s. MURRAY AUTolA'l-Ic com Original Filed Jan. 16, 1924 3 Sheets-Sheet l @wie i Y f NQux 11 am ATTQENEYS:

AUTOMATIC COOKER Original Filed Jan.`1, 1924 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 ag Q3 @MK3/wrom' *E* N Hom/P0 5. MUR/PA.;

AaffzfoRNEni lluly 17, 192s. 1,617,564

H. S. MURRAY AUTOMATIC COOKER Original Filed Jan. 16, 1924 3 Shets-Sheet 5 AYTTQENEY si Patented July 17, 1928.

HOWARD S. MURRAY, OF LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA.

AUTOMATIC COOXER.

Application led January 16, 1924, Serial No. '$86,523. Renewed January 9, 1928.

This invention relates to a device whereby articles of'food may be cooked by the application of heat/for a designated period of time. The invention is particularly adapted to use as a broiler for meats or as a device for toasting bread or other food articles.

It is an object of the invention to provide a device having a cooking chamber and a carriage arranged to enter this cooking chamber, such carriage being adapted to hold the article of food in position exposed to heat, and automatic means for removing the carriage from the cooking chamber after a designated period of time has elapsed.

It is a further object of the invention to provide a device of this character having an improved means for producing an incandescent radiation of heat within the cooking chamber. The invention may be employed in various forms. The following specification disclosing the invention embodied in a broiler for meats will fully present the features thereof.

A cut of meat such as a steak requires an intensity and duration of heat application corresponding to the thickness thereof. In the frying of the steak, this time may be ten to thirty-five minutes, depending upon the thickness. My invention is arranged to apply the heat for cooking in the form of incandescent heat radiations which penetrate into the meat, thus cooking the interior instead of merely applying a surface heat as is done in pan frying. By the application of incandescent heat, it is possible to broil in four to seven minutes the steaks, which now take from fifteen to twenty-tive minutes to fry. It will be recognized thatV this saving of time is productive of considerable economy to the food vender and makes a considerable saving of time by the patron, as his order may be quickly prepared.

In `rafeterias and similar places, where quantlties of food are prepared in advance, a great many steaks and chops are fried in advance, this frying of steaks and chops due to the long period through which the heat must be applied on the stove must be started a considerable time before the meal hour. My meat broiler is arranged to receive a number of meat articles to be cooked, in a horizontal grid member which is then raised into vertical position and lifted upwardly into the broiler chamber wherein the articles held in the grid are exposed to incandescent heat radiations on both sides thereof with the result that they are quickly cooked and furthermore are in most prepared palatable condition.

It is a further object of the invention to provide 1n combination with the above an lmproved form of timing device for regulatmg the period through which the grid is held within the broiling chamber, this timing device being of simple construction and having a minimum number of parts in operation, thus being free from necessity of frequent adjustment.

Referring to the illustrative purposes only: i Fig. 1 is a longitudinal vertical section through the device of the character described, this secton being taken substantially upon the plane represented by the line 1-1 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 2 is a section taken on a plane repre'- sented by the line 2-2 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a section taken on aplane indicated, by the line 3 3 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 4 is an enlarged fragmentary section corresponding to the lower left hand corner of Fig. 1, showing the timing mechanism in detail. l'

Fig.. 5 is an enlarged plan view looking downwardly upon the top of the piston employed in the t'ming device.

Fig. 6 is an enlarged elevational view of 'the latch member taken as indicated by the arrow 6-of Fig. 1.

Fig. 7 is a fragmentary sectional view taken on a plane indicated by the line 7 7 of Fig. 6.

Fig. 8 is an enlarged fragmentary section tlm a plane represented by the line 8-8 of Pig. 1. y

Fig. 9 is an elevation looking toward Fig. 8 as indicated by the arrow 9.

In the form of the invention .shown in the drawings, end walls 11, Fig. 1, sidewalls 12, Fig. 2, and a`P top wall 13 are arranged to enclose a chamber which is open at the bottom as indicated at 15. The walls are preferably formed of a low heat conductive material such as a mixture of diatomaceous earth and Portland cement enclosed in a sheet metal housing 16 which is mounted upon a frame Work or supporting structure 17 employing angle iron legs 18 and interconnecting'l members` 19. In a pair of vertically placed channels 21 and 22 placed at each end of the supporting frame work 17, the downwardly turned ends 23 of a bar drawings which are for l 24 are vertically slidable. The bar 24 in combination with upwardly directed brackets 25 constitutes a vertically movable carriage which supports a grid 27 arranged to receive the steaks or other cuts of meat to be broiled. This grid consists of a base member 28 comprising a bar having the ends 29 thereof bentupwardly and pivoted on pins 30 to the upper ends of the brackets 25. As shown in Fig. 8, vertical holes 32 and 33 are drilled near the upwardly turned ends thereof and are arranged to receive the side rods 34 of a rigid grid element 35. In Fig. 8, the side rod 34 is shown in the opening 32 which is nearest theA edge 36 in order that a meat cut of considerable thickness will be held centralized as will -be hereinafter fully explained. At each end of the base bar 28, a rack 38 is placed, this rack having upwardly directed notches 39 arranged to receive the lower bar 40 of the back grid element 41 which grid element is arranged so as to be swingable upon its lower rod 40 in a manner permitting the placement and removal of the articles to be cooked.

It will be recognized that by placingthe lower rod 40 in the various notches 39, the spacing of the grid elements may be adjusted to correspond to the thickness of the meat cut which is to be broiled. If a very thin cut is to be broiled, the side rods 34 of the rigid grid element 35 are placed in the holes 33, Fig. 8, thus bringing the grid element 35 near the central plane of the carriage. Downwardly extending from the leftward end of t-he grid base 28/is a guide arm 42, the end 43 of which projects leftwardly into a guide channel 44 which has a vertical extending portion 45 placed ad jacent to the channel 21'andan outwardly projecting lower end portion 46 which curves upwardly von substantially the radius defined by the arm 42. When the carriage 24 is in its lowermost position, the end 43 of the arm 42 may swing outwardly in the portion 46, Fig. 2, of the channel 44, thus allowing the grid member to swing forwardly into a horizontal position as indicated by the dotted lines 48. Y l

As shown in this figure, the upper bar 49 of the forward grid element 35 1s equipped with a latch member 50 at each end thereof, these latch members being provided with downwardly directed' notches 51 arranged,

to engage the upper edge of the'rea-rward grid element- 41.v By swinging the members outwardly asindicated by the dotted lines 52, the swingable grid element may be swung upwardly as indicated by the arrow 53, thus opening the grid member so that access to the space intervening between the grid elements is attained.

As shown in Fig. 8, the lower rod 40 of the grid element 41 is locked in the notches 39 by latch members A which are pivoted at 56 to the ends 29 and are 'equipped with slots 57 at their lower ends which extend over the rod 40 from a lateral direction. The latch members 55 are somewhat semi-circular in form and the pivot 56 so located that the mass 'of the latch will be eccentrically exposed, thus incurring in the latch member a tendency to swing towardY the left, thus holding the latch in place over the rod 40. After the grid 48 has been filled with meat to be broiled, a pull is exerted upon a ring 60 which is secured to a chain 61 extending to the arm 42, thus rotating the arm'downwardly and swinging the grid member 48 upwardly into vertical position. By raising the lift member 63, the carriage is t-hen slid upwardly in the channels 21 andv22, the end 43 of the arm 42 sliding upwardly in the vertical portion 45`f the guide channel 44, thus maintaining the grid member38 in Vertical position throughout the time it is raised above the extreme downward position.

When an upward pull is exerted on the leftward end of the carriage causing it to move upwardly, a tension is placed in achain member 65 which is secured at 66 and extends over pulleys 67, 68, and 69, through a vertical pipe 63', Fig. 1 and is attached at 70 to the righthandA end of. the carriage, therefore causing the'righthand end of the carriage to be lifted at the same rate of speed as th'e lefthand end so that binding of the members 23 in the slide channels 21 and 22 is prevented. At a point 73, a chain 74 is secured to the carriage, this chain extending over a pulley 75' as shown in Figs. 1 and 4 from which pulley 75 it extends downwardly around a small pulley 76 and upwardly to a stationary bracket- 77. The pulley 76 is rotatably held between the outer plates 78 of a vertically movable latch mem-ber 79.which is equipped with a pawl 8() as shown in Fig. 4. As the carriage 24 is raised, the loop of the chain 74 which extends over the pulley 7 6 is lengt-hened due to the moving upwardly of the end of the chain which permits the chain to pass leftwardly over the pulley 7 5, and the member 79 drops downwardly and assumes the position indicated. by the dotted lines 83. When the carriage 24-is fully raised, the point 84 of the pawl member drops under a latch dog 85 and rests afrainst a ball bearing 86 set therein, thus preventing upward movewith Aa lever 91 at the upper end and a piston 92 at its lower end, upon the upper end of which piston there rests aveircular plate 93. The invention employs a cylinder 94 having a bottom 95 and an opening 96 at the upper end thereof. this cylinder extends upwardly over the piston 92 and the upper end thereof is closed by a ring ineinber having a covered opening 9T therein. 'The plate 98, Fig. 7. ot the member 79 extends inwardly through a vertical slot 99 in the housing 87 and is equipped with a vertically extending pin 10() which rests upon the inner end 101 of the member 80. dien the c vlinder 94 is in engagement with the member T9. the pin 10() forces the end 101 downwardly as shown in full lines in Figs. 1 and 4 against the action of the spring 103. r1`he cylinder 94 is. filled with a liquid preierably water, to a point,y near the top. thus forming an air seal between the piston 93 and the cylinder 94.

vVhen the carriage 2l is raised and the member 79 drops away from the lower end ot the cylinder 94 and assumes the posit'on indicated by the dotted linesr H53. Fig. 4. the weight of the cylinder 94E creates a vaeuum in the Space 107 between the piston 92 and the bottom of the cylinder` the cylinder then being supported by the upwardl)v activ external air pressure. As shown in l ig. i the piston 92 is equipped with a seres o graduated holes 108 and 109 and the plate 93 is notched as indicated at 119 so tint, one ot' the holes M5L-109 may be uncover-el as indicated 111. rl`he water contained above the piston within the cylinder 9i flows downwardly through the opening 111. thus partially relievinfr the vacuum in the chamber 107 which i mits the piston to advance dlownwardljr. this downward advanee being at a rat.y ot' speed controlled hv the flow of water from the upper side ot the piston oi" the chamber 10i". The lever 91 on the upper end of the shaft 9G may be manipulated hf: use of the handle 112 in a manner to rotate any of the holes 10S- 109 into position cooperating with tlnotch 119 ot the plate fill. which plate if held against rotation le; the extension oi projections llfl into not/:Mes 113. provided the lower end of the sleeve 99. lil'lhen cylinder approaches the lower end ot downward movement. the pin in they position indicated b v dotted lire? 1li engage bv the bottom 95 and t downwardlv against the end the point Re ot wardlv out o? engagement with the member -f releasing the menilieix and allowing the carriage 24 to drop lowered position. By the shortening of tia chain which extends over the pulleyv T6. the member T9 is raised and lifts with it the Cylinder 94 forcing the water from the chain ber upwardlyv through the holes 108-10l and holes 119 in the piston 92. the plate 9?) at this time being slidably raised.

iiitl) It will be recognized that the speed of drop of the Carriage 94 is gauged entirelyv b v the rate, of reverse flow ot liquid through the piston. ln view of the fact that the 'vlinder 94 is entirely closed at its lower there is no possibility of water leakage. rIlle lrzss of water due to evaporation i: small owing to the fact that the tloat l covers nearl)Y the entire surface of the water; howeverr any loss of water ma)Y he made up from time to time by injecting a :mail amount through the opening 9T. u

ln Fig. Q. it will be noticed that the ille wallsl 12 slope inwardl)v as th'gv pr. de upif plat-ed wardlv. ln front of these walls 12 .u ineandeseible plate members 120 w'th a large number of evenlv -f openings 121. thus produeing a foral ywall tions 122 of sheet niehronie si wardl'v turned flanges 122-) stiil'ening means for the sepa;

thusl preventing the bulging ot i i. e nous radiating element un ti l'roni tlanies 125 thrown 'd the plates 121 and the wal Iv L iY nal lurner-v 12T which muni the ende ot' the device and ar 'te 1 lrnni supply pipes 117.8 erpiippl-d w'l 129. lv the nartieular eonsiruetiwi ed. an even heating of the pini state of incandescente is :ir-loir; l www.. Il 1r. causing the plate to ennt in rays which have verv pronta penetration. Hhe peiietrarin h 1 v i "nsw heat ravs result in the xiv-riff` z i temperature into the lioi'v tit" in the grid 2" for coohli 3 that au even eooltiug throsioi 1 scorching of' the outer s i :iff-i and aul f a great rapidi@ o' fof. i L a tion .suer a dwcrilied il ii w this spe ation.

lt wil. e perceived that fia' s 139 oi' th plates l2() are s; fir" i "all,`y and that thv re is a .igi.ther of the plate.` andV in lie irward ,slope ol` the -re thrown upon the f es 12?? and as the \v y b v the eonverging 12 so that porti ing gases are caused to p o1 un through roreniinous openings 121. llj; eonverg the ernment cooking action greatly depends, as h y the end.

llO

use thereof an incandescent condition similar to that of hot coals in a barbecue grate kis attained.

I claim as my invention:

1. In a cooker, the combination \of walls forming a cooking chamber having an opening in the lower wall thereof: a carrier; substantially vertically extending guide means for directing said carrier between lowered position beneath said chamber and raisedy position within said chamber; and means for causing and controlling a` gradual egression of said carriage from said cooking chamber.

2. In a cooker, the combination of: walls forming a cooking chamber havingV an opening in the lower wall thereof: a carrier; substantially vertically extending guide means for directing said carrier between lowered position beneath said chamber and raised position within said chamber; a retaining member for holding said carrier in raised position; and means for causing and controlling a gradual egression of said carriage from said cooking chamber.

3. In a cooker, the combination of: walls forming a cooking chamber narrowing toward its top and having a downwardly looking opening through a substantially horizontal bottom wall: a carrier; substantially verticallyextending guide means for directing said carrier between lowered position beneath said chamber and raised position within said chamber.

4. In a cooker, the combination of: walls forming a cooking chamber having an opening in the lower wall thereof: a carrier; a grid member on said carrier arranged to swing between vvertical and horizontal positions; and substantially vertically extending guide means for directing said carrier between lowered position beneath said chamber and raised position within said chamber.

5. In a cooker, the combination of: walls forming a cooking chamber narrowing tof ward its top and having a downwardly looking opening through a substantially horizontal bottom wall: a carrier; a grid member on said carrier arranged to swing between vertical and horizontal positions; and substantially vertically extending guide means for directing said carrier between lowered position beneath said chamber and raised position within said chamber. ,Y

6. In a cooker, the combination of: walls forming a cooking chamber having an opening in the lower wallthereof: a carrier; and substantially vertically extending i guide means for directing said carrier between lowered positionbeneath said chamber and raised position within said chamber; foraminous incandescible members arranged on each side of the position of said carrier in said chamber; and means for heating said members to incandescence.

7. In a cooker, the combination of: walls forming a cooking chamber having an opening in the lower wall thereof: a carrier; and substantfally vertically extending guide means for directing said carrier between lowered position beneath said chamber and raised posit-ion within said chamber; foraminous incandescible members arranged on each side of the position of said carrier in said chamber; and means for heating said members to incandescence.

8. In a cooker, the combination of: walls forming a cooking chamber, having/an opening in the lowerwall thereof: a carrier, a grid member on said carrier arranged to swing between vertical and horizontal positions; and substantially vertically extending guide means for directing said carrier between lowered position beneath said chamber and raised position within said chamber; incandescible members arranged on each side of the position of said carrier in said chamber; and means for heating said members to incandescence. I

9. In a cooker, the combination of: walls forming a cooking chamber having an opening in the lower wall thereof: a carrier; and substantially vertically extending guide means for directing said carrier between lowered position beneath said chamber and raised position within said chamber; foraminous incandescible members arranged on each sde of the position of said carrier in said chamber, said incandescible members cach consisting of a foraminous plate spaced apart from the adjacent wall at the lower edge and sloping substantially into contact at the upper edge thereof; and a burner arranged to throw a flame upwardly between each of said plates and its co-operating wall.

10. In a cooker, the combination of: walls forming a cooking chamber having an opening in the lower wall thereof: a carrier; and substantially vertically extending guide means for directing said carrier between lowered position beneath said chamber and raised position within said chamber; and a retaining member for holding said carrier in rased position; foraminous incandescible members arranged on each side of the position of said carrier in said chamber, said incandescible members each consisting of a foraminous plate spaced apart from the adjacent wall at the lower edge and sloping substantially into contact at the upper edge thereof; and a burner arranged to throw a flame upwardly between each of said plates and its co-operating wall.

11. In a cooker, the combination of: walls forming a cooking chamber having an opening in the lower wall thereof; a carrier; a grid member on said carrier arranged to swing between vertfcal and horizontal positions; and substantially vertically extending guide means for directing said carrier belis tween lowered position beneath said chamber and raised position within said chamber; ineandescible members arranged on each side of the position of said carrier in said chamber, said incandescible members each consisting of a foraminous plate spaced apart from the adjacent wall at the lower edge and sloping substantially .into contact at the upper edge thereof; and a burner arranged to throw a vflame upwardly between each of said plates and its eo-operating Wall.

12. ln combination in a cooker having -a movable carriage: a member secured at one end thereof near one end of said carriage, said member passing to above the other end ot' said carriage and being extended downwardly and attached thereto in such a manner that a movement in the first mentioned end of said carriage will be transferred to the second mentioned end of said carriage, causing them to move upwardly to ether.

13. In combination in a cooker iavlnga movable carriage: a member secured at one end thereof near one end of said carriage, said member passing to above the other end of said carriage and being extended downwardly and attached thereto in such a manner that a movement in the first mentioned end of said carriage will be transferred to the second mentioned end of said carriage causing them to move upwardly together; and a lifting member secured to and extendingr above the first named end of said carriage.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand at Los Angeles, California, this 10th day of January, 1924. p

HOWARD S. MURRAY. 

